SYL or the Satluj Yamuna Link Canal has been stirring controversies since the time it was brought into discussion and (a little) implementation. The foundation stone of one of the most controversial canals of India was laid on April 8, 1982.
Another controversy that has recently been rolling over all the television news channels in and around India is the death of a prominent Punjabi Folk Singer, Sidhu Moosewala.

Sidhu was shot to death on May 29, 2022, and Canadian extortionists named Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi reportedly planned the murder of the Singer following a few personal grudges. After his death, the father of Sidhu Moosewala promised his fans that he will continue to present his son’s unreleased songs to the world, the first out of which is the song named SYL.

Song SYL by Sidhu Moosewala was released on June 23, 2022. It is written, sung, and composed by Moosewala. The song, like its name, came with a lot of whys and hows for the Indian Government, and just within three days of its release, the song was banned in India upon a complaint made to YouTube by the Indian Government.

Song Analysis: 

Lyrics

The song begins with a statement being made by one of the ministers during an election rally for the Haryana Elections. The minister can be heard promising the public about the opening of the SYL canal and how if they elect him, he will make sure that all the villages of the state are supplied with the water from Punjab through the SYL Canal. To mention, where the canal was under construction for several years, following the protests made by the people and the political leaders of Punjab, it could not be operated.
Further ahead, as the lyrics begin, the singer quotes and asks the Indian Government to return Punjab, the states that have been cut from it. These states include Chandigarh, Haryana, and Himachal. He further mentions that if sovereignty is not practiced in the state, they will not give even a drop of their water. He then lays the condition of providing justice to the Singhs who have been kept imprisoned even after their prison period has ended.
The singer further calls out the ruler of the country for having a small heart, and how he has been continuing to trouble the people of Punjab. Sidhu also targets the residents of the state who have given statements against the state and is awaring the people of Punjab against them.

Visual Representation

As the lyrics go by, one can continue to see the archives of the protests made regarding SYL in the previous years. Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale has also been highlighted throughout the song and we can see him revolting against the same. These archives are put in a monochrome frame to ensure the viewers about the authenticity of the images and videos being used from the historical protests.
Pictures and videos of some of the prominent and revolutionary Sikh leaders are incorporated in the video of the song.
The song also includes visuals from the Blue Star Operation and the 1984 Sikh Genocides and emphasis how SYL was one of the major factors driving the 1984 Sikh Genocides. The visuals are in the colors like black, white, and red throughout which conveys the immediacy and the intensity of the issue. As the song ends, we can see hashtags like #SavePunjabWaters and #FreeSikhPrisoners.

After three days of the release of the song, the song was brought down upon the request of the Indian Government and the song was no longer visible on YouTube in India. While the song is loved by millions, it is not only opposed by the Indian Government but also by the youth of Haryana, as the singers of Haryana have come up with songs like ‘Haq Sai Mara SYL, and Tipka tipka, koni paani aadha lewange.

Prabhnoor Kaur